Rolling mills



NOV; 28, 1933. [VERSEN r A 1,936,672

ROLLING MILLS I Filed July 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l JVZLE- Nov. 28, 1933. L. IVERSEN El AL ROLLING MILLS Filed July 15, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mugg ng i g F HHHHHH Nov. 28, 1933. L. |VERSE N El AL ROLLING MILLS Filed July 15, 1931 4.Sheets'- Sheet 5 Nov. 28, 1933. 1.. IVERSEN AL ROLL-ING MILLS INVENTORS Patented Nov. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROLLING IWILLS Application July 15, 1931. Serial No. 550,866

8 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of metal working, and more particularly to an improved rolling mill construction.

With rolling mills, whether of the two-high type, or of the type utilizing more than two rolls,

there are certain requirements which the structure of the mill must fulfill if it is to effectively serve its purpose. Two of the important requirements are with respect to ease of roll changing and ease and accuracy of roll adjustment. The present invention has for certain of its objects an improved mill structure such that these re- I quirements are more satisfactorily fulfilled than in previously known mills.

1 For purposes of illustration, the invention will be explained primarily as applied to a so-called two-high mill. From the preceding statement, however, it will be understood that the utility of the invention is not thus limited. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in vertical section of one form of roll stand constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line II-II of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View on the line IIIIII of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a view partly in vertical section along the line IV-IV of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and partly in elevation;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the mill before referred to;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line VIVI of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, certain of the parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view along the line VII-VII of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a detail elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a view partly in transverse section and partly in plan, the portion in section being taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a detail sectional View along the line XX-of Figure 8.

During an operation of metal rolling, the surfaces of the rolls become worn and out of true. This requires the rolls to be periodically taken from the roll stand, suitably dressed and then replaced in the stand for subsequent use. This is customarily repeated until the rolls become worn out. Each dressing operation reduces the diameter of the rolls, thereby making it necessary to adjust the rolls vertically in the stand in order to properly compensate for the changes in diameter due both to dressing and to wear. Such a vertical adjustment is further necessary in order to permit of the rolling of articles of difierent thickness and in order to permit metal to pass between the rolls without having any work done thereon, as well as for the purpose of maintaining the pass line of the mill at a constant elevation.

In order to bring the rolls of a two-high mill, for example, into proper alinement one with the other, and maintain the alinement during the 7 rolling operation, it is necessary at times to adjust the ends of one of the rolls separately with respect to the other roll. In the case of rolls having grooves or passes formed thereon, relative longitudinal adjustment of one roll with respect to the other is also necessary in order to obtain proper registration of the passes in the different rolls.

The present invention provides a construction affording not only easy roll removal or roll changing as required for dressing purposes or substitution of different rolls. but also provides a structure in which the desired adjustment of the rolls for the purposes indicated may be easily and effectively obtained.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, we have shown mill housings 2 of any desired construction supported upon shoes 3 and retained in position thereon by suitable bolts 4. For maintaining the desired spacing between the housings 2, there may be provided separators 5 consisting of bolts 6 extending completely through the housings and carrying nuts '7 at their ends, with spacing sleeves 8 surrounding the bolts intermediate the housings and bearing against the inner faces thereof. These separators, as will be apparent more particularly from Figure 3 of the drawings, are located adjacent the bottom of the housings, although any desired type of separator may be utilized. Carried by the upper portions of the housings and eifective for maintaining such portions in the desired spaced relationship, is a cap 9. The housings 2 are illustrated as provided with hold-down bolts 10 having pivotal mountings 11 and adapted to be swung upward- 1y into slots 12 formed in the cap for the purpose of permitting clamping of the cap firmly in' position while affording ready removal thereof. The cap is made hollow to receive water which, as is customary in the art, is supplied through holes drilled at convenient places in the cap so that the water may trickle down on the rolls for cooling.

Carried by the housings is a lower roll 14 and an upper roll 15. Each end of the lower roll is herein illustrated as journaled in roller bearings 16 in a suitable roller bearing case 17.

The top roll 15 has its opposite ends likewise journaled in roller bearings 18 carried in roller bearing cases 19 and 19', the roller bearings and roller bearing cases being positioned generally in the plane of the housings as illustrated more particularly in Figure 2 of the drawings.

For effecting vertical adjustment of the bottom roll 14, there is provided a lower wedge structure 20 having inclined upper faces 21 and 22 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. While such wedge structure may be formed as an integral part of the housings, it is, for purposes of easier manufacture, preferably formed as a separate piece adapted to be clamped in position by bolts 23. The surfaces 21 and 22 both slope the same amount and in the same direction.

Carried in the wedge structure 20 is a nut 24 through which extends a jack screw 25 whereby upon rotation of the jack screw it will be threaded inwardly or outwardly with respect to the nut. The outer end of the jack screw has a rotatable mounting in an upper wedge structure 26 having lower inclined surfaces adapted to directly overlie and rest upon the inclined surfaces 21 and 22. The wedge structure 26 has a bracket extension 27 forming the rotatable mounting for the jack screw. By reason of the structure just described, it will be apparent that rotation of the jack screw in one direction or the other will be effective for producing such a relative movement of the wedge structures 20 and 26 that the upper wedge structure will either be raised or lowered, the two ends thereof moving upwardly or downwardly simultaneously and by equal amounts. The bearing cases 17, before described, are carried directly by the wedge structure 26, whereby its movements are transmitted to the lower roll 14 for simultaneously raising or lowering the opposite ends thereof. By constructing the wedge member 26 in a single piece, the original relative setting of the roll ends is never lost, as is the case with roll adjustments in which the opposite ends are individually adjusted one with respect to the other.

For preventing longitudinal movement of the roll 14, any well known means may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment the bearings are held against axial movement relatively to the rolls, and also against axial movement relative to the bearing cases. In Figure 2, I have illustrated such means as comprising a split collar 28 and a retaining nut 29 at each end thereof cooperating with the bearing 16. Cooperating with one end of the roll 14 are clamps 30 bearing at one end against the housing and at their opposite ends against the bearing case 1'7, the clamps being held in position by bolts 31. The case 1'7 is provided with a plate 17a held in place by bolts 17b. The plate projects sidewise beyond the case 1'7 proper so as to form flanges as best shown in Figure '7, which flanges are engaged by the clamps 30 and serve to hold the case 1'7 against longitudinal movement. The opposite end of the roll 14 with its bearing and bearing case is free to move relatively to its housing as required to allow for expansion and contraction of the roll, bodily longitudinal movement of the roll being prevented.

While the lower roll is carried by the housing through the medium of the wedge structures described, the bearing cases 19 and 19 for the upper roll 15 are supported in the manner illustrated more particularly in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings. This support comprises plates 32 attached to the housings by bolts 33. Extending through the plates are rods 34, the lower ends of which are guided in openings 35 in the plates 32, while the upper ends, as illustrated more particularly in Figure '7, are loosely guided in slots 36 in the bearing cases 17, 19 and 19' of the lower and upper rolls respectively.

Formed on the intermediate portions of the rods 34 are downwardly facing shoulders 3'7 against which the upper ends of springs 38. supported by the plates 32, exert an upward pressure. The upper ends of the rods 34 bear against blocks 39 located in suitable recesses extending laterally,

from the slots 36 in the upper bearing cases 19 and 19'. It will be apparent that. if desired,

the blocks 39 may constitute integral projecting shoulders or lugs formed on such bearing cases. The springs 38 are of such strength as to be effective for supporting the entire weight of the upper roll and its mountings and thus normally maintaining such roll in spaced relation to the lower roll 14.

The amount of spacing between the rolls is controlled by adjusting screws 40 threaded through nuts 41 in the cap 9, and bearing at their lower ends against the upper sides of the bearing cases 19. Due to the characteristics of the springs 38, they will always maintain the upper bearing cases in contact with the lower ends of the adjusting screws 40. Thus the vertical adjustment of the upper roll will be controlled by the adjustment of the screws 40. Such adjustment is in turn effected by providing the screws at their upper ends with gears 41' with which mesh worms 42 and 43 as shown more particularly in Figure 6 of the drawings. By reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the gears 41 are of such construction that they may move vertically relatively to the worms 42 and 43 without disturbing the driving relationship existing therebetween. Any other form of adjusting mechanism may, however, be used if desired.

For driving the adjusting worms, there is provided a motor 44, mounted on the cap and effective through reduction gearing in suitable housings 45. The worm 42 is normally in driving relationship with the motor through a clutch 46, a suitable clutch 47 being provided for the worm 43. Carried on one end of the worm 42 is an indicating finger 48 which cooperates with a scale or dial 49 effective for indicating the amount of rotative movement'imparted to the worm by the motor. By normally maintaining the clutch 46 in operative position, every movement of the motor 44 is reflected on the scale. 46 and 4'7 are both in engagement, the two worms will be simultaneously driven and the opposite ends of the upper roll uniformly adjusted, while by disengaging the clutch 4'7, a differential adjustment of the roll ends may be obtained. The clutch 47 may be controlled at the pleasure of an operator by means of a suitable control rod 50. By disengaging both of the clutches, the electric motor 44 with its gear sets 45 may be easily removed. The location of the motor with its reducing gearing directly on the cap provides a compact assembly effective for easily and quickly obtaining the desired adjustment, vertically, of the top roll.

Bodily longitudinal mo ement of the top roll with respect to the housings 2 is prevented in If the clutches a manner similar to that already described for the bottom roll, this construction comprising a ring 51 split as indicated at 51a and a retaining nut 52 in combination with clamps 53 similar to the clamps 30 before described. The opposite end of the top roll together with its bearing and bearing case, is left free to move relatively to its housing as required for expansion and contraction of the roll.

For obtaining longitudinal adjustment of the upper roll relatively to the bottom roll, as may be required for example to bring the roll grooves 54 and 55 in the respective rolls into proper registration, we preferably utilize a construction of the character illustrated more particularly in Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings. In these figures we have shown a portion of the housing adjacent one end of the upper roll 15, together with a portion of the roll neck and a portion of. the roller bearing 18 and case 19. The case 19, as will be seen from these figures, is provided adjacent its opposite sides with bearings 56 for a shaft 57, the end portions of which have gear teeth 58 milled therein. These gears mesh with racks 59 cut or otherwise formed in wedge shaped adjusting members 60 positioned for operation in tapered slots 61 in the bearing cases 19. The wedged shaped adjusting members bear at their inner surfaces against liners 61' positioned in the housings 2 to provide for wear between the housings and the bearing cases, these liners being formed with flanges 62 on their outer ends. It will be understood, however, that the liners may be omitted if desired. The ends of the shaft 57 are reduced and threaded to accommodate nuts 57a which hold the indicating dials 63 in position. These dials are further described below. The nuts 57a are pinned or otherwise secured in place so that a wrench may be applied thereto for the purpose of turning the shaft 5'7.

The clamps 53 before described, are effective for maintaining the upper roll against undesired longitudinal movement. By loosening the clamps 53, and rotating the shaft 57, the wedge shaped adjusting members 60 may be moved either upwardly or downwardly, thereby correspondingly changing the relationship between the bearing cases 19 and the housing and thus correspondingly moving the upper roll endwise either inwardly or outwardly. The adjustment being in a true axial direction, binding of the rolls in the bearings is prevented. The desired adjustment having been obtained, the clamps 53 are again tightened for holding the parts in their new position. The extent of adjustment imparted in an endwise direction to the upper roll is conveniently indicated by a suitable dial 63 carried by the end of the shaft 5'7.- Such an indicator obviates the cut and try method of roll adjusting, and insures accurate setting thereof.

We have now described the general mill structure by means of which bodily vertical movement of both rolls may be obtained, or difierential vertical movement of the opposite ends of the upper roll, or longitudinal or axial movement of the upper roll. These adjustments enable the desired relationship tobe maintained between the rolls at all times.

It has before been pointed out that frequent changing of the rolls is necessary. With the construction described, such a roll change is effected by loosening the hold down bolts 10 for the cap 9, and then removing the cap together with its accessory equipment including the motom rolls.

tor 44, by means of a crane or the like. Clamps 30 and 53 are then loosened, thus permitting the rolls with their bearings and bearing cases to be lifted vertically from the mill housings. The new rolls with their bearings may then be slipped into position in the housings and the cap 9 replaced and tightened in position by the bolts 10.

When the hold-down bolts are loosened -to permit removal of the cap, the pressure of the springs 38 is such that the top roll 15 will tend to move to its highest position. When a new top roll is inserted in the housing, and prior to the time that the cap 9 is replaced, the new roll will likewise be in its extreme upper position. If the cap 9 is comparatively light in weight, and the roll 15 is adjusted to a low position by means of the screws 40, the pressure of the springs 38 will be sufficient, when the bolts 10 are released, to lift the roll 15 and its accessory parts to an intermediate position, and the cap 9 instead of resting securely on the housings 2 will then be raised away from the housings and precariously balanced on the screws 40.

In the same manner, when the top roll 15 is replaced, if the screws 40 are adjusted for a low position of the roll, the cap will not seat itself in the housings, but will be balanced on the screws in such manner that considerable difficulty will be involved in the proper positioning and fastening of the hold down bolts 10. 105

It is one of the objects of our invention to provide a cap 9 having greater weight than caps as ordinarily provided and sufficient to preclude any possibility of lifting the same away from the housings by the action of the springs 38. In like manner, the weight will be sufficient so that the mere act of placing the cap in position will compress the springs 38 to the extent required to permit the cap to rest firmly on the housings. This precludes any precarious balancing of the cap, and obviates the difficulties with respect to the positioning of the hold down bolts 10. The relationship between the weight of the cap 9 and the characteristics of the springs 38 constitutes a valuable feature of our invention.

While similar results, insofar as the proper positioning of the cap is concerned, might be obtained by utilizing springs 38 of less strength, the use of such springs is objectionable in that reliance cannot then be placed upon the springs with respect to their intended duty of always properly supporting the top roll and retaining it in the highest position permitted by the adjustment of the screws 40.

Attention has already been called to the fact 130 that for purposes of illustrating the invention we have chosen a mill of the two-high type. It has been stated, however, that the invention is applicable to mills having a different number and arrangement of rolls. Thus, in a three-high mill for example, the middle roll is preferably carried directly by the housings without the provision for either horizontal or vertical adjustment. The endwise adjustment previously described for the top roll, and illustrated more particularly in Figures 8 to 10, both inclusive, could then be applied to both the top and bot- In such case it is necessary to adjust either end of the bottom roll in a vertical direction relatively to the other end, this being 145 accomplished in any desired manner. One convenient method comprises the dividing of the wedge structure 26 and the provision of duplicate screws 25, one for each of the wedge sections, whereby the wedge portions in each housing may be individually adjusted. Another commonly employed method involves the use of screws similar to those for the top roll.

Certain advantages of the present invention arise from the structure described, together with the ease of roll removal permitted by such construction.

Other advantages are obtainable by reason of the mounting of the top roll on spring supports, and the relationship between the Weight of the cap and the springs whereby the springs are ineffective for lifting the cap from the housings, the cap being of sufiicient weight to automatically compress the springs when the cap is lowered onto the housings.

Still further advantages arise from the means provided for adjusting the respective rolls whereby the desired alinement thereof may always be obtained, together with the maintenance of the plane of the rolling pass at the desired elevation regardless of changes in roll diameter.

Still other advantages arise from the adjusting means provided, together with the indicating scales whereby the amount of adjustment is at all times readily ascertained.

Other advantages will be apparent from the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings forming a part thereof, it being understood that changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts as well as in the type of mill to which the invention is applied, may be made without departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of our broader claims.

We claim:

1. Axial adjusting means for rolls, comprising a roll neck, an anti-friction bearing and bearing case for said neck, clamps bearing against said case, and wedge adjusting means for said case, said wedge adjusting means comprising a wedge located onopposite sides of the roll neck, and means for simultaneously moving said wedges.

2. Axial adjusting means for rolls, comprising a roll neck, an anti-friction bearing and bearing case for said neck, clamps bearing against said case, wedge adjusting means for said case, said wedge adjusting means comprising wedges located on opposite sides of the roll neck, and means for simultaneously moving said wedges, said moving means having an indicator carried thereby.

3. In a mill, housings, rolls carried by said housings, a cap for said housings, adjusting screws in said cap, a motor carried by said cap intermediate said screws, and a clutch connection between said motor and each of said screws normally operatively connected to one of the screws.

4. In a mill, housings, rolls carried by said housings, a cap for said housings}, adjusting screws in said cap, a motor carried by said cap intermediate said screws, and a clutch connection between said motor and each of said screws, there being indicating means for one of said screws, said clutch connection for the screw carrying the indicating means being normally in operative engagement.

5. In a mill, housings, a roll having a bearing mounted thereon, a liner intermediate said bearing and one of said housings, means for adjusting said bearing in a direction axially of the roll with respect to said liner, and clamping means for clamping the roll and bearing in adjusted position, said adjusting means comprising adjusting wedges having a common actuating member.

6. In a mill, housings, a roll having a bearing mountedthereon, means for adjusting said bearing in a direction axially of the roll, and clamping means for clamping the roll and bearing in adjusted position, said adjusting means comprising adjusting wedges having a common actuating member.

7. In a mill, housings, a roll having a bearing mounted thereon, means for adjusting said bearing in a direction axially of the roll, and clamping means for clamping the roll and bearing in adjusted position, said adjusting means comprising a plurality of parallelly disposed wedges having a common actuating member.

8. A rolling mill comprising a housing having a window therein, a roll having a neck extending through the window, an antifriction bearing and bearing case for the neck, clamps bearing against the case and effective for exerting pressures to move the case axially of the roll, and wedge means operatively'disposed between the case and the housing to oppose the action of the clamps, the wedge means being adjustable so as to permit of positioning the case in diiferent adjusted axial positions.

LORENZ IVERSEN. GUSTAF L. FISK. CHARLES L. RAISIG. 

